Leuven, Belgium (Diplomat.so) – Vooruit Leuven, the Flemish socialist party's local branch in Leuven, confirmed on Tuesday that Leuven Municipal Councillor Sarah Mohamed Khalif, a politician of Somali origin, will assume office as Leuven Alderman for Care, Welfare and Cemeteries on January 1, 2027, succeeding Leuven Alderman for Care, Welfare and Cemeteries Bieke Verlinden, who will step down from the executive role to concentrate fully on her mandate as a Member of the Flemish Parliament.
The succession had been planned since the beginning of the current municipal term, when Vooruit stated that Verlinden would not combine her local executive responsibilities with her parliamentary mandate throughout the entire legislature. Sarah Mohamed Khalif, 28, has served on Leuven's municipal council since 2019 and secured re-election in the 2024 local elections.
Verlinden said the nomination was put forward by Leuven Mayor Mohamed Ridouani and received unanimous support from the local party leadership. "The mayor nominated Sarah himself, and our local branch supports that choice with great conviction," Verlinden said.
Sarah Khalif said she would use the remaining months of 2026 to prepare for her new responsibilities by studying policy files covering care, welfare and cemetery services before formally assuming office. "I am looking forward to this new responsibility with great enthusiasm," Khalif said. "They are big shoes to fill. Bieke has contributed enormously to Leuven's care policy."
Mayor Ridouani described Sarah Khalif as an experienced municipal councillor who has closely followed the city's administration over two legislative terms. "With Sarah, we have an experienced municipal councillor who knows Leuven thoroughly and understands the city's policies," Ridouani said. He also thanked Verlinden for her years of service to the city and wished her success in the Flemish Parliament.
Born to a family of Somali origin and raised in Leuven from the age of five, Sarah Mohamed Khalif grew up in the city centre in a single-parent household. She has been active in the Ridderbuurt neighbourhood and the Fabota children’s organisation, experiences she says shaped her focus on community welfare and accessible support services. She said she wants residents to know that support is available through local organisations, including Zorg Leuven, CAW, and Leuven Helpt, adding that everyone should have access to assistance when needed.
On-the-ground preparations for the transition are expected to continue throughout the remainder of the year, with both politicians working jointly on the transfer of ongoing projects and responsibilities. Diplomat News Network was informed through the official party announcement that the structured handover is intended to ensure continuity across Leuven's care and welfare portfolio.
Verlinden, who has served as Leuven's alderman since 2012, said she would hand over her responsibilities with confidence in Sarah Khalif. She will remain a Leuven Municipal Councillor and continue as Chair of Zorg Leuven, the city's public care organisation. The planned transition maintains continuity in Leuven's social policy leadership while introducing a new executive official with several years of municipal governance experience.
New Responsibilities
As Alderman for Care, Welfare and Cemeteries, Sarah M. Khalif will oversee Leuven’s local social policy execution, including welfare services, support for vulnerable residents, elderly care initiatives and the management of municipal cemeteries. The role requires coordination with city departments and external partners to ensure continuity in essential social services.
She will also work closely with institutions such as Zorg Leuven, alongside welfare organisations including CAW and Leuven Helpt. Her responsibilities include ensuring access to social support services and strengthening community-based care structures across the city.
Sarah Khalif will additionally take part in policy planning and budget oversight for the social welfare portfolio, aligning services with municipal priorities and regulatory frameworks. Her role involves coordination with other city departments where social care intersects with housing, health and community development.
Governance System
Belgium is a federal state with a multi-layered governance system consisting of the federal level, regional governments and language-based communities. The Flemish Region, also known as Flanders, is the Dutch-speaking northern part of the country and has its own parliament and government.
The Flemish Parliament is the legislative body of the Flemish Region. It is directly elected by citizens and is responsible for passing regional laws, known as decrees, and overseeing the Flemish Government, which implements regional policy. Its competencies include areas such as economy, mobility, environment, public works and parts of social policy.
The Flemish Parliament operates alongside Belgium’s federal parliament in Brussels, which handles national responsibilities including defence, justice and federal taxation. This structure reflects Belgium’s federal system, where significant powers are decentralised to regional authorities.
